Bonded Team Ends Playoff Drought
Postseason tournament gave girls’ basketball more opportunities to grow
By Hassan Bhatti
Postseason tournament gave girls’ basketball more opportunities to grow
By Hassan Bhatti
In the final moments of the Feb. 4 game against Del Mar High School, the ball was inbounded and tipped to Jenny Mizota, 11, she scored a fastbreak layup to win the game 33-31, sending the team to the Central Coast Section playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Ending their lengthy season with a 5-5 record, the varsity basketball team went to CCS after a three-year playoff drought. Upon beating their rivals from Del Mar in two intense back-to-back games, the Mustangs earned their spot in the tournament, but eventually ended their season on Feb. 22 with a loss to Woodside High School.
Advancing to the postseason for the first time in her career, Mizota was inspired by her CCS run and plans to use what she learned to lead her team next season.
“Having experience on varsity for the past three years, I think it’ll make me more of a leader through bringing the team together,” said Mizota.
Acknowledging the coaching staff, Mizota commended head coach Rob Zaccheo and his work on focused, position-oriented training.
“(Zaccheo) took more time to work with the different positions by breaking us up into groups of guards, shooters and post to work on individual skills,” said Mizota. “Some of the drills he made me do as a guard helped me improve when practice situations became the same as in-game.”
Team captain Eesha Krishnamagaru, 12, reflected on how the CCS team in 2016 performed compared to her senior team.
“In my freshman year we had a mix of post players and guards, however, this year, we have a smaller and younger team where the majority is guards,” said Krishnamagaru.
She also felt her team’s development over the season was a major attribute towards winning.
“We always had the skill — it was just bringing all of those together along with our personalities,” said Krishnamagaru.
Assistant coach Mikayla Bush, once a Mustang varsity captain herself, felt that it was not just the coaching this season that pushed girls basketball further, but the players’ vigor and persistence to harness and perfect their skills.
“I always tried to do the best for the girls in terms of supporting them and helping them but in reality, getting to CCS was all them,” said Bush. “It was their determination and their drive to come to practice and games — they gave it all they had.”
Ending their lengthy season with a 5-5 record, the varsity basketball team went to CCS after a three-year playoff drought. Upon beating their rivals from Del Mar in two intense back-to-back games, the Mustangs earned their spot in the tournament, but eventually ended their season on Feb. 22 with a loss to Woodside High School.
Advancing to the postseason for the first time in her career, Mizota was inspired by her CCS run and plans to use what she learned to lead her team next season.
“Having experience on varsity for the past three years, I think it’ll make me more of a leader through bringing the team together,” said Mizota.
Acknowledging the coaching staff, Mizota commended head coach Rob Zaccheo and his work on focused, position-oriented training.
“(Zaccheo) took more time to work with the different positions by breaking us up into groups of guards, shooters and post to work on individual skills,” said Mizota. “Some of the drills he made me do as a guard helped me improve when practice situations became the same as in-game.”
Team captain Eesha Krishnamagaru, 12, reflected on how the CCS team in 2016 performed compared to her senior team.
“In my freshman year we had a mix of post players and guards, however, this year, we have a smaller and younger team where the majority is guards,” said Krishnamagaru.
She also felt her team’s development over the season was a major attribute towards winning.
“We always had the skill — it was just bringing all of those together along with our personalities,” said Krishnamagaru.
Assistant coach Mikayla Bush, once a Mustang varsity captain herself, felt that it was not just the coaching this season that pushed girls basketball further, but the players’ vigor and persistence to harness and perfect their skills.
“I always tried to do the best for the girls in terms of supporting them and helping them but in reality, getting to CCS was all them,” said Bush. “It was their determination and their drive to come to practice and games — they gave it all they had.”